Page 46 - Mann ki Baat June 2022 - English

TH
44 CHESS OLYMPIAD – INDIA IN
THE SPOTLIGHT

Chess Olympiad Torch Relay and
it was a moment of pride for the
entire country when FIDE President
Arkady Dvorkovich handed over
the torch to the Indian Prime
Minister, who in turn bestowed
me with the honour of carrying it
forward as a mentor. This torch
will be taken to 75 cities in a
span of 40 days before the final
culmination at Mahabalipuram
near Chennai. At every location,
Viswanathan Anand
the grandmasters of the state will
International Chess Grandmaster receive the torch.
Even a few months back, we
wouldn’t have imagined that India
would be organizing this historic
India is emerging as a chess
International Chess Olympiad. On
powerhouse in the world. With
such a tight deadline of merely
th
the 44 Chess Olympiad taking
three months, it seemed close to
place for the first time in India,
impossible. But due to the diligent
the game is actually returning
efforts of the Government and the
to its birthplace. The country has
vision of the PM, I’m certain that we
made rapid strides in if, tripling
will be able to put up a great show.
its grandmaster count in the last The commitment of the Sports
decade, which now stands at 74—
Minister, the constant support of
leaving an indelible mark in the the ministry, and the inaugural
Chess world. launch by the PM himself make
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this a solemn occasion adding
launched the historic torch relay prestige to the initiative, and will
th
for the 44 Chess Olympiad at provide more and more visibility
Indira Gandhi Stadium in New to the sport.
Delhi on 19 June. This year, for the The Olympic Torch Relay is a
th
very first time, International Chess collective show of the pride India
Federation, FIDE, has instituted the takes in Chess. It is a game that
Chess Olympiad Torch as a part has origins in India. We have a
of the Olympic tradition. India new generation of chess players
is the first country to have the who are finding their place in the
42
42